STAGE III SHORTAGE (SEVERE)
Colorado Springs City Code § 12.4.1308
in effect12.4.1308: STAGE III SHORTAGE (SEVERE):
A Stage III shortage may be declared when the Chief Executive Officer determines that the analysis required by subsection 12.4.1305 B1 of this part or the existence of an emergency shortage indicate that the Stage II response is insufficient to reduce demands to a level in proportion to the severity of the shortage. In addition to the Stage II restrictions and water conservation measures set forth above, the following restrictions on the use of water by water customers shall be in effect and required during a Stage III shortage, except that in the event of a conflict the following restrictions shall prevail:
A. Irrigation of turf grass and all other plant material other than trees and shrubs is prohibited. Existing trees and shrubs may be watered one day per week by means of a handheld hose equipped with an active positive shutoff nozzle or low volume drip irrigation on assigned day as follows: 1) residential users with even numbered addresses may only irrigate on Sunday; 2) residential users with odd numbered addresses may only irrigate on Saturday; and 3) commercial users may only irrigate on Monday.
B. A water customer that owns or operates a high use sports field may apply for an exemption from the turf grass irrigation prohibition. The Chief Executive Officer or designee may approve the use of a water allocation plan for high use sports fields which will establish a maximum allowable amount of water, within which the irrigators will be permitted flexibility to choose how to irrigate without exceeding the allocation. In addition to the penalties described in section 12.4.1315 of this part, violation of any term or condition of an exemption may result in immediate rescission of the exemption.
C. Indoor industrial and commercial water use shall be reduced by an amount, to be determined by Utilities, in relationship to the severity of the shortage.
D. The use of water for cooling or air conditioning spaces for the purpose of personal comfort shall be restricted to that amount of water necessary to maintain a minimum air temperature of seventy eight degrees Fahrenheit (78°F), and all thermostats controlling the use of water for cooling within a building or structure shall be set at seventy eight degrees Fahrenheit (78°F) or higher.
E. Any commercial water park must operate under a best water management practices plan. Each such user must develop, maintain on site and comply with a best water management practices plan that demonstrates efficient use of water. This plan must be available for review and approval upon request by Utilities at all reasonable times. Utilities may require periodic reporting to demonstrate efficient use of water.
F. Washing of motor vehicles, trailers, boats and other types of equipment shall be prohibited, except that washing may be done by a certified commercial car wash which treats and recycles wash water.
G. Vehicles contained in commercial operation or fleets may be washed no more than once per month, unless public safety requires more frequent washing. Fleet vehicles may only be washed at a commercial car wash which treats and recycles wash water.
H. The use of water in all public and private water features shall be prohibited.
I. Filling or refilling any pond shall be prohibited.
J. Power washing shall only be used for protection of public health, safety or welfare. (Ord. 02-59; Ord. 03-41; Ord. 13-10; Ord. 19-99)
Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-20317Fetched: 11/1/2026